A 12-year-old child was hospitalized following an encounter with a bison at Yellowstone National Park on Friday.
According to representatives from Yellowstone National Park, the child was injured by the bison around 9:15 a.m. while visiting the area.
The incident occurred near the Mud Volcano, with the child then being transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Details about the extent of the child’s injuries have not yet been released.
This marks the first reported bison attack in Yellowstone for the year 2026.
In 2025, two people were gored by bison in separate incidents in May and June.
In 2024, Yellowstone reported two other visitor-bison incidents, when a man was caught harassing a bison herd in April and was injured and a second person was injured in June 2024.
Yellowstone reported one bison-related injury in 2023.
Yellowstone said visitors are responsible for staying 25 yards away from wildlife like bison at all times, because animals can become aggressive on close approach.
“Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. They are unpredictable, can run three times faster than humans and will defend their space when threatened,” the national park said.
If an animal moves closer to you, back away to maintain a safe distance.
The national park requires all conflict with animals to be reported to Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park said the incident is under investigation.